America's Test Kitchen. The Best of America's Test Kitchen 2022: Best Recipes, Equipment Reviews, and Tastings. America's Test Kitchen. 2021. ISBN 9781948703789. $35.
America's Test Kitchen (ATK) releases its latest annual featuring recipes, equipment reviews, and "tastings" written, tested, and edited by its cooks, editors, and cookware specialists. The book highlights a wonderful variety of flavor profiles and takes inspiration from world cuisine; cooks of all skill levels are sure to find a recipe worth trying. In typical ATK fashion, detailed introductions explain why each recipe works, discuss its history, and offer in-depth instructions on what it should look like while it cooks for best results. Notes from the test kitchen will up readers' home-cooking game with tips and tricks, while chapters dedicated to soups, salads, starters, pasta, pizza, sandwiches, meat, poultry, seafood, breakfast, brunch, breads, and desserts guarantee that they’ll find the perfect recipe. A "Test Kitchen Resources" section also provides quick tips, kitchen basics with illustrations, "tastings and testings," nutrition information, and conversions/equivalents for recipes. VERDICT You can’t go wrong with ATK. From pho to Korean scallion pancakes to that pandemic staple, banana bread, or a single serving set of chocolate chip cookies, readers are likely to find a recipe worth the effort.

America's Test Kitchen. The Complete Autumn and Winter Cookbook: 550+ Recipes for Warming Dinners, Holiday Roasts, Seasonal Desserts, Breads, Food Gifts, and More. America's Test Kitchen. 2021. ISBN 9781948703840. $34.99.
This latest from America’s Test Kitchen focuses on dinners, roasts, desserts, breads, food gifts, and more for fall and winter cooking. Included are recipes for soups, stews, vegetables, grain and bean dishes, drinks, breads, cookies, cakes, pies, and others. In typical ATK fashion, the collection also includes an introduction to autumn and winter produce, tips when cooking for a crowd (such as time management and hosting hacks), menu plans (including options for vegetarians, cookie swaps, and dinner for 16), and an overview of essential tools and techniques. Recipes make note of total prep time and serving sizes (many serve 4–6 or 6–8) and highlight "make ahead" options. Also included are cooking charts (such as "doneness" temperatures), nutritional information, conversions, and equivalents. VERDICT A thorough guide to all foods warm and cozy, whether readers are planning a festive holiday meal, dinner for two, or a gift swap. A veritable bible of seasonal meal options for weeknight dinners and festival gatherings, and an excellent source of inspiration for menu planning and seasonal shopping.

Callaway, Hayley. Sweet Talk Cookies: Creative Designs for Birthdays, Holidays, and Every Day. Harvard Common. 2021. ISBN 9780760371596. $22.99.
Creative sugar cookie designs for birthdays, holidays, and every occasion are showcased by baker Callaway of HayleyCakes and Cupcakes, a family-owned bakery in Austin, Texas. More than a recipe book, this is a class on making cute cookies. Sections include an introduction to sugar cookie basics, animal-shaped designs, food-based designs, Christmas and other holiday cookies, summer themed cookies, and “cool cookies.” The “Basics” section is particularly instructive, detailing skills such as outlining and flooding techniques for iced cookies, decorating tips, supplies, and a recipe to serve as the roadmap for readers’ cookie adventures, followed by a primer on icing, color mixing, stenciling, and more; there’s even a lettering template for perfect icing script. And that’s before the templates featuring unicorn cookies, food truck cookies, Christmas "Tree-Rex" cookies…The book has enough options to impress at any bake sale, office party, birthday, or family gathering. VERDICT This collection is one of the most thorough introductions to cookie decorating in print, with detailed instructions and visuals that can only be beat by a video tutorial.

Coughlin, Sandy. Big Boards for Families: Healthy, Wholesome Charcuterie Boards and Food Spread Recipes That Bring Everyone Around the Table. Fair Winds. 2021. ISBN 9780760371664. $26.99.
Coughlin promises charcuterie boards and spreads to gather around. Each recipe features a list of ingredients and assembly instructions, along with side notes for items that require additional cooking or prep. This book is chock-full of tips to create a spread that will appeal to a range of guests and family members, with chapters titled "Bring Your Family Around the Table" (board basics and tips); "Jump-Start the Day" (breakfast boards); "Crunch, Munch, Go" (snacks); "Let's Do Lunch"; "Create-a-Plate" (appetizers); "Time To Feast" (main dish boards); and "Don't Forget Dessert." Board concepts center around a main dish or centerpiece; with options such as a fix-your-own steel-cut oats bar, sushi hand-roll board, and make-your-own lasagna spread. There are also excellent options for parties and potlucks with concepts that can be customized. VERDICT With classic charcuterie boards and spreads inspired by dishes around the world, Coughlin provides a broad range of options for group gatherings and other festivities. These boards will see readers through the holidays and beyond.

Culpin, Katie. Vegan Holiday Cookbook: Festive Plant-Based Meals and Desserts for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Table. Skyhorse. 2020. ISBN 9781510756311. $24.99.
From the food and travel blogger behind Delightful Vegans, this collection offers a selection of whole-foods, plant-based meals and desserts for Thanksgiving and Christmas, with vegan options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. These are simple, easy-to-make vegan dishes perfect for any skill level. Most recipes serve six to eight, and include options for breakfast, salads, soups, mains, sides, savory and sweet snacks, companion dishes, desserts, and drinks. Culpin includes a couple of gluten-free options, including a GF roast and cake, along with sugar-free and oil-free options. A selection of meal plans helps take the stress out of cooking; featured plans include Thanksgiving and Christmas lunch and dinner menus, breakfast and brunch options, happy hours, after-dinner treats, and a gluten-free menu. Culpin also provides an introduction to vegan ingredients and where to find them, and conversion charts for measurements and oven temperatures. VERDICT While the recipes are intended for holiday menus, this is a source of plant-based inspiration for the whole year.

Editors of Cider Mill Press. Holiday Cocktails: Over 100 Simple Cocktails To Celebrate the Season. Cider Mill. 2021. ISBN 9781646431748. $19.95.
This book features cocktails to ring in the cozy season and see readers through the dark days of winter, with chapters dedicated to "Party Provisions," "Winter Warmers," "Classics," "Sparkling Cocktails," and "The Spirit of the Season." There are familiar classics like hot apple cider spiked with bourbon, and fun new options like the appropriately named "Let It Snow," an absinthe and creme de menthe cocktail that looks like a frosty cup of snow. Recipes range from simple easy-to-make cocktails with basic ingredients, to expert-level drinks that require a little more prep and planning. Winter- and holiday-themed names like "Nipping at Your Nose" and "Christmas Time Is Here" give these cocktails a festive flair. Recipes are indexed by drink name and base ingredients, making it easy to find the perfect winter cocktail for a drink at home. VERDICT If readers are looking to serve Christmas in a glass, this book will have the perfect cocktail. Cool spritzes, hot toddies, coffee drinks, punches, and a solid selection of standards make this title worth consulting when stocking the holiday bar.

Editors of Cider Mill Press. Small Plates: Over 150 Ideas for Bites and Nibbles. Cider Mill. 2021. ISBN 9781646431458. $19.95.
Over 100 ideas for small plates and nibbles, including sauces, dips, spreads, breads and cracker-based boards, dumplings and decadent bites, plant-based plates, seafood and meat-based dishes, and desserts are on offer here. The book calls these "small dishes for the gourmet," perfectly portioned for small gatherings with family and friends and curated to appeal to a wide range of palates while requiring minimal effort in planning and prep. The focus is on simplicity, with sauces to add flavor, and creative ways to dress up breads and crackers. Many of the plates can serve as a side dish or a simple meal for two, with plenty of plant-based options and recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. A typical dish is papas rellenas (beef-stuffed potato balls). VERDICT This little book presents a simple concept but packs a punch in terms of the variety of recipes and flavors it includes (Latin American, Indian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Asian, and the list goes on).

Marks, Gil. The World of Jewish Entertaining: Menus and Recipes for the Sabbath, Holidays, and Other Family Celebrations. S. &. S. 1998. ISBN 9780684847887. $40.
In this illustrated guide for the "perplexed host," Marks takes readers through the Jewish year with recipes for the Holiday and Sabbath table, family celebrations, and a "Baker's Bible." Marks covers the gamut of religious and social events, with recipes and tips for Pilgrim Festivals, High Holidays, minor festivals, and family milestones. Many of the recipes are designed to be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge or freezer until the day of the event. Marks elaborates on the significance of events and foods in Jewish life and tradition, with recipes inspired by Jewish communities around the world. The cookbook features recipes for appetizers, cold buffets, salads, mains, soups, desserts, and more, with a section dedicated to hosting basics, such as hiring servers, scheduling events, decorating, cleaning up, and serving parties of 20+ guests. VERDICT An older title worth revisiting. The World of Jewish Entertaining stands out as a collection dedicated to Jewish festivities, with options ranging from sweet to savory that are wrapped in history and tradition. The sections on hosting are a bonus and perfect for any event planner, particularly first-timers.

Ojakangas, Beatrice. Great Holiday Baking Book. Univ. of Minnesota. ISBN 978-0816638680. pap. $20.
Originally published in 1994, this is a classic in holiday baking, combining recipes from Ojakangas's Finnish background with recipes gathered through years of research, teaching, and exchanging, resulting in a comprehensive collection of old and new recipes built on tradition. As an older title, it does not contain modern food photography, but what the book lacks in images it more than makes up for in tidbits and variety. In a nod to unique traditions, Ojakangas includes holidays often missed by other writers, including recipes for St. Patrick’s Day, St. Joseph's Day, Passover, the Easter season, April Fool's Day, May Day, Midsummers, Advent, and President's Day. Ojakangas sprinkles details about the holidays throughout the book, delving into the history behind many of the recipes, and includes tips for mastering complex bakes. VERDICT Breads, pies, cookies, and more, these recipes represent a range of cultures and occasions, from religious to secular holidays. Ojakangas’s emphasis on tradition results in a nostalgia-filled collection of recipes that are sure to spark warm memories.

Van Lierde, Elizabeth. Everyday Entertaining: 110+ Recipes for Going All Out When You’re Staying In. Weldon Owen. 2021. ISBN 9781681885889. $32.50.
Over 100 ideas for small plates and nibbles, including sauces, dips, spreads, breads and cracker-based boards, dumplings and decadent bites, plant-based plates, seafood and meat-based dishes, and desserts are on offer here. The book calls these "small dishes for the gourmet," perfectly portioned for small gatherings with family and friends and curated to appeal to a wide range of palates while requiring minimal effort in planning and prep. The focus is on simplicity, with sauces to add flavor, and creative ways to dress up breads and crackers. Many of the plates can serve as a side dish or a simple meal for two, with plenty of plant-based options and recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less. A typical dish is papas rellenas (beef-stuffed potato balls). VERDICT This little book presents a simple concept but packs a punch in terms of the variety of recipes and flavors it includes (Latin American, Indian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Asian, and the list goes on).